Chiropractic Care at NTHC: Techniques & What to Expect
Personalized Chiropractic Care Using Thompson, Diversified & Activator Methods
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the body's structure, particularly the spine and musculoskeletal system as well as how it functions.
At North Texas Healing Center, chiropractic care is centered around a thorough evaluation and individualized care. Dr. Tregellas is trained in several chiropractic adjusting techniques, including Thompson, Diversified, and Activator Method, allowing him to select the approach that best fits the individual patient, their needs, and their comfort level.
Rather than using the same technique for every person, the goal is to determine what type of adjustment is appropriate for you and where it may be most beneficial.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a hands-on approach to healthcare that commonly includes evaluation of the spine and musculoskeletal system and, when appropriate, specific joint adjustments.
A chiropractic adjustment uses a controlled force applied to a joint to influence its movement and function. Adjustments may be performed manually or with the assistance of specialized equipment or instruments.
At NTHC, chiropractic care may be used as part of a broader approach to help support:
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Spinal and joint mobility
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Musculoskeletal function
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Healthy movement
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Recovery from everyday physical stress
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Comfort and physical well-being
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Overall movement and quality of life
Chiropractic care is not intended to replace medical diagnosis or treatment when medical care is necessary. Your chiropractor may also recommend that you seek additional evaluation or care from another healthcare professional when appropriate.
The Chiropractic Techniques We Use
There are many different approaches to chiropractic adjusting meaning no single technique is right for every person.
At North Texas Healing Center, Dr. Tregellas is trained in Thompson Technique, Diversified Technique, and Activator Method, giving him several options when determining how to approach an adjustment.
Thompson Technique
The Thompson Technique uses a specialized drop table along with a specific analysis and adjusting approach.
One of the most recognizable features of Thompson Technique is the drop mechanism built into the table. When an adjustment is delivered, the corresponding section of the table drops a small amount, helping the practitioner deliver the adjustment with less force than may otherwise be required. The technique also incorporates a specific leg-check analysis as part of its assessment process.
What does a Thompson adjustment feel like?
Patients often notice the quick movement of the table as the adjustment is performed. The drop mechanism is designed to assist the adjustment while minimizing the amount of force needed. For patients who prefer an approach that does not rely solely on a traditional manual thrust, Thompson can be one option.
Diversified Technique is a traditional, hands-on chiropractic adjusting approach. It uses specific manual contacts and controlled thrusts to address areas of the spine or other joints that the chiropractor determines may benefit from adjustment.
Because Diversified is a hands-on technique, patients may experience the familiar quick movement associated with a traditional chiropractic adjustment. The amount and direction of force can vary depending on the area being addressed and the individual patient.
Dr. Tregellas may incorporate Diversified adjustments when a manual approach is appropriate for the patient.
Activator Method
The Activator Method uses a handheld adjusting instrument to deliver a controlled, low-force impulse rather than a traditional manual thrust. The Activator instrument is designed to provide a quick, precise force to a specific area. Activator Methods describes the technique as a low-force, instrument-assisted approach to chiropractic adjusting.
What does an Activator adjustment feel like?
Instead of the larger movement associated with some manual adjustments, patients typically experience a quick, localized impulse from the instrument.
Activator may be an appealing option for patients who:
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Prefer an instrument-assisted approach
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Are uncomfortable with traditional manual adjustments
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Prefer a lower-force technique
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Want a more targeted adjusting experience
The Activator Method can also be used for different areas of the spine and extremities.
Which Chiropractic Technique Is Right for Me?
You don't necessarily need to choose a technique before your appointment. That's part of the value of working with a chiropractor who is trained in multiple approaches.
During your visit, Dr. Tregellas can consider your health history, current concerns, physical examination findings, mobility, and individual preferences when determining which technique or combination of techniques may be appropriate.
Technique | General Approach | What You May Experience |
|---|---|---|
Activator Method | Instrument-assisted adjustment | Quick, localized low-force impulse |
Diversified | Hands-on manual adjustment | Traditional, controlled manual adjustment |
Thompson | Specialized drop table + manual adjustment | Quick adjustment assisted by the table's drop mechanism |
The goal isn't to fit every patient into the same technique; it's to have more than one option available.
What Happens During a Chiropractic Visit?
Your first visit will generally begin with a conversation about your health history, current concerns, and goals. Dr. Tregellas may then perform an appropriate physical or chiropractic examination to better understand your movement and musculoskeletal function.
Depending on your individual situation, your visit may include:
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Health history and consultation
Discuss your concerns, health history, and goals. -
Chiropractic examination
Evaluate relevant areas of your musculoskeletal system and movement. -
Care recommendations
Discuss what was found and whether chiropractic care may be appropriate. -
Chiropractic adjustment
If appropriate, Dr. Tregellas will select the technique that best fits your needs and comfort level. -
Follow-up recommendations
Depending on your situation, you may receive recommendations regarding future visits, movement, exercise, or other supportive strategies.
Chiropractic care is not necessarily limited to the area where you feel discomfort. Your chiropractor may evaluate how different areas of the musculoskeletal system work together when determining an appropriate approach.
What Can Chiropractic Care Help With?
Research on spinal manipulation suggests that it may provide modest improvements in pain and function for some people with acute or chronic low-back pain. It may also be helpful for certain types of neck pain and headaches. However, it is not limited to just the back and neck; any joint in the body can be adjusted with the proper techniques.
At NTHC, chiropractic care may be considered for people experiencing concerns such as:
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Back discomfort
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Neck discomfort
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Joint stiffness
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Limited mobility
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Musculoskeletal tension
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Certain types of headaches
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Movement-related discomfort
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Everyday aches and physical stress
Your individual situation matters, and chiropractic care is not appropriate for every condition. A proper evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care is a reasonable option for you.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic care and spinal manipulation are generally considered to have a good safety record when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner. Temporary effects such as soreness, stiffness, headache, or increased discomfort can occur and generally resolve relatively quickly.
Serious complications are rare but have been reported. Certain health conditions may increase the potential risks associated with spinal manipulation, which is why a thorough health history and examination are important before treatment.
Be sure to tell Dr. Tregellas about relevant health conditions, recent injuries, surgeries, medications, or other treatments you are receiving.
If your symptoms suggest a condition requiring medical evaluation, chiropractic care may not be the appropriate first step and you may be referred to another healthcare professional.
Chiropractic Care for Children, Pregnancy & Older Adults
Chiropractic techniques can be modified based on the individual patient. However, age, pregnancy, osteoporosis, recent injury, certain medical conditions, and other factors can affect whether and how spinal manipulation should be performed.
If you are pregnant, have significant bone loss, have recently experienced trauma, or have another condition that may affect your suitability for chiropractic care, discuss this with your healthcare providers and Dr. Tregellas before receiving an adjustment.
The appropriate technique and level of force should always be determined based on the individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to know which chiropractic technique I want?
No. You don't need to select a technique before your appointment. Dr. Tregellas is trained in Thompson, Diversified, and Activator Method and can determine which approach may be appropriate based on your evaluation and preferences.
Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?
Most adjustments are designed to be controlled and comfortable, but individual experiences vary. Some patients may experience temporary soreness or discomfort afterward.
What is the difference between Thompson and Activator?
Both can provide a more controlled approach than some traditional manual adjustments, but they work differently. Thompson Technique uses a specialized drop table to assist with the adjustment, while Activator Method uses a handheld instrument to deliver a quick, targeted impulse.
Is Activator Method a real chiropractic adjustment?
Yes. Activator Method is an instrument-assisted chiropractic adjusting technique. Instead of the chiropractor using their hands to deliver the thrust, a specialized instrument delivers the controlled impulse.
What is Diversified chiropractic technique?
Diversified is a hands-on chiropractic adjusting approach involving specific manual contacts and controlled thrusts. It is one of the traditional manual approaches used within chiropractic care.
Will I hear a popping sound?
Possibly. Some manual adjustments can produce an audible popping or cracking sound caused by a rapid change in pressure within a joint. However, an audible sound is not required for an adjustment to be performed.
How often should I see a chiropractor?
There is no single schedule that is appropriate for everyone. Frequency depends on your individual situation, goals, response to care, and the recommendations made following your evaluation.
Can chiropractic care be combined with other services at NTHC?
Depending on your individual needs, chiropractic care may be incorporated alongside other wellness services offered at North Texas Healing Center. Your care plan should be based on your individual goals and circumstances.
Chiropractic Care at North Texas Healing Center
You don't have to choose a chiropractic technique from a menu and hope it's right for you. At North Texas Healing Center, Dr. Tregellas brings training in multiple adjusting approaches to each patient's care.
That gives you options.
Whether you prefer a traditional hands-on adjustment, the table-assisted approach of Thompson Technique, or the low-force instrument-assisted approach of Activator Method, your care can be tailored to your individual needs and comfort level.
Ready to find out whether chiropractic care is right for you?
Contact North Texas Healing Center to schedule an appointment and take the next step toward better movement and physical well-being.